Counterfeiting Laws in Samoa

The act of reproducing counterfeit currency of the Independent State of Samoa or altering genuine currency is a violation of the Article 3. Defacing Bank Notes of the Banking Ordinance Act of 1960 and Article 109. Making Counterfeit Coins, Article 110. Impairing Coins and Article 111. Uttering Counterfeit Coins of the Crime Ordinance Act of 1961. Penalties detailed below.

Banking Ordinance Act 1960

Article 3. Defacing Bank Notes(1) Every person commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding [$10]

(a) Without lawful authority, defaces any bank note, whether by means of any writing, printing, stamp, mark, or erasure, or otherwise howsoever; or

(b) Being party or privy to any such defacement of a bank note, pays away, parts with, puts in circulation, demands payment of, or deposits or offers to deposit in any bank any bank note so defaced.

(2) The endorsement of any bank note for the purpose of identification or for any other lawful purpose is not an offence within the meaning of this section.

Crime Ordinance Act 1961

Article 109. Making Counterfeit Coins

Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years who makes or begins to make counterfeit coin resembling any current coin, or who has in his possession any dies or other instruments or material intended to be used in the making of such counterfeit coin.

Article 110. Impairing coin

Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years who impairs, diminishes or lightens any current coin, with intent that when so dealt with it shall pass for current coin.

Article 111. Uttering Counterfeit Coin

Every one who fraudulently utters any counterfeit coin is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months.